Apple’s New iPhone 3G Unveiled – Set To Launch Massive Mobile Audio Production Wave
Apple unveiled their much-anticipated new iPhone 3G, with fast 3G networking, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications including many new mobile music applications including Moo Cow Music’s Band.
Apple also dropped the price for the new iPhone 3G significantly; $199 for the 8GB model, and $299 for the 16GB model with a two year contract on AT&T. iPhone 3G will be available in more than 70 countries later this year, beginning with customer availability in 22 countries—Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US—on July 11.
The price drop not only increases the pot of potential customers, but also, and this is more significant, translates into a yearly iPhone churn for savvy users. Buying a new iPhone every year, with the product cycle apparently landing between 9 to 12 months, is easily achieved for customers who always want to be with the latest and greatest model.
iPhone 3G gives users ever faster access to the Internet and email over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds. The new iPhone 3G also makes it easier to multi-task with simultaneous voice and data communications, so with iPhone 3G you can browse the web, get map directions, or check your email while you are on a call.
iPhone 3G includes the new iPhone 2.0 software with both the iPhone SDK and key enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing as well as remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks.
The iPhone SDK allows audio application developers to create programs that leverage the iPhone’s Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, accelerometer and GPS technology. The possibilities are simply mind-blowing for audio programs, and will significantly impact the music gadget market in the coming year with simulations of the Yamaha’s Tenori-On, Korg’s KAOSSILATOR, and others available on a mobile for around $10. The door has already been cracked open with basic programs like Intua’s BeatMaker already proving popular with iPhone audio aficionados.
iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native applications in a variety of categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, which means it is accessible from just about anywhere. Think of it as an iTunes for iPhone applications. This is not only going to be convenient, but Apple has applied the iPod/iTunes “complete vertical” model to the iPhone’s ecosystem not only significantly extending the usability of the cell, but also creating, yet another, revenue stream. The App Store will be available in 62 countries when the 3G launches on July 11th.
Additional features available with the iPhone 2.0 software include the ability to do real-time mapping and track your progress with GPS technology, mass move and delete multiple email messages, search for contacts, access a new scientific calculator, turn on parental control restrictions for specified content, save images directly from a web page or email them to your iPhone and easily transfer them back to your photo library on your Mac or PC.
iPhone 3G delivers a claimed 10 hours of talk time on 2G networks and 5 hours using 3G, a significant “hit” in terms of usable battery life, with up to 5.5 hours of web browsing, up to 7 hours for video playback and up to 24 hours for audio playback.
Apple also announced MobileMe, a replacement for .Mac. The new Internet service pushes email, contacts, and calendars to the iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs keeping all your contact data instantly up-to-date on all your gear. MobileMe removes the need to manually check email and wait for downloads, and push keeps contacts and calendars continuously up-to-date so changes made on one device are automatically updated on other devices. With iPhone, you can even snap a photo and post it directly to a MobileMe Gallery to share with friends and family, a boom to mobile blogging.
The Apple iPhone 3G will be available in the US on July 11 for $199 (8GB in Black) and $299 (16GB in Black and White) at Apple and AT&T’s retail stores and requires a new two year contract with AT&T. iPhone 2.0 software will be available on July 11 as a free software update via iTunes 7.7 or later for all iPhone customers. More information on the Apple iPhone 3G.
